Hot time in the city

Springfield announces lineup of summer music festivals

Southern California folk rockers Venice play the Hoogland Center for the Arts on June 28

Music fans don’t want to hear this reporter wax
ecstatic about Loretta Lynn’s classic coo (she’s scheduled to
play Sangamon Auditorium on June 28) or the return to the summer stage of
Springfield favorite the Micah Walk Band (performing at the SOHO Music
Festival on June 7).No, capital-city rockers, Illinois Times knows what you
want: a laundry list of bands performing within driving distance that could
rock you like a hurricane. HOMETOWN HEROESSeeing music has never been so easy. This summer, just
step out your front door for your festival fix. The SOHO Music Festival (June 6-7)
kicks off the summer with the annual showcase of local music to benefit the
Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery. The schedule features 20 smokin’
performances by such acts as the Perfunctory This Band, the Sugar Free
Allstars, 56 Hope Road, and the Damwell Betters. On June 28, music fans will have three — yes,
three! — options: The Coal Miner’s Daughter herself, Loretta Lynn, performs at
Sangamon Auditorium; across town, sentimental Southern California
folk-rockers Venice present their Eagles-style music at the Hoogland Center for the
Arts; and the Washington Street Jazz Festival, a local favorite, sets up shop downtown, with sets by
local groups the Beatniks, the Pauline York Band, Bob Katt and the Missing
Links, and Pleasure Chest. Delta Highway, a Memphis-based blues band, and
saxophonist Glenn Wilson round out the long day of music. The lineup for the American
Music Stage at Taste of Downtown (July 12)
has been set, and history repeats itself: The caliber of music booked for
this year’s event is just as good as that in years past. Bands
scheduled to take the stage include local chanteuse Eva Hunter and her
band, followed by New York-based ’60s throwbacks the Hi-Risers. Marti
Brom, backed by Rocky Velvet, blends rockabilly with a twist of retro. This
year’s headliner is Dale Watson, a true-blue country musician whose
work is reminiscent of that of Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard. The
Deadstring Brothers, country-rockers, close out the evening. In August, downtown hosts the Old Capitol Blues and BBQs (Aug. 23)
festival, featuring a meaty lineup of popular blues musicians and delicious
barbecue. Although the schedule has yet to be released, if last
year’s lineup, featuring Cajun slide guitarist Sonny Landreth and
harmonica man Bill Lupkin, is any indication, the barbecue isn’t the
only thing that will be hot. The Illinois State Fair (Aug. 8-17) brings to
town a parade of nationally known performers, including Fergie, Weird Al
Yankovic, Huey Lewis and the News, ZZ Top, Brooks and Dunn, Vanessa
Hudgens, and Trace Adkins. CHAMPAIGN WISHES AND DECATUR DREAMS The Central Illinois
Metalfest (July 18-20), featuring 35
in-your-face metal bands, is held at the Canopy Club in Champaign. The 2008
Decatur Celebration (Aug.1-3), dubbed “Dancing in the Streets,” features
a parade of nationally recognized performers, which in years past has
included Boyz II Men and the BoDeans.ST. LOUIS STOMPLuckily, Springfield is within range of St. Louis and
its music, including the annual Live on the
Levee series (July 11-Aug 2) and Fair Saint Louis (July 4 and
5). The Pageant’s summer schedule includes Robert Earl Keen with the
North Mississippi All-Stars (May 24), Del thaFunky Homosapien (June 7), Modest Mouse (July 1), and Ted
Nugent (July 31). SWEET HOME CHICAGOIf gas prices haven’t topped, say $100 a gallon,
be sure to get on the road and head north for great music. Chicago hosts
festivals galore, including Lollapalooza at Grant Park (Aug. 1-3), featuring diverse headliners Kanye
West, Radiohead, and Rage Against the Machine. If your tastes run a little
further underground, visit the Pitchfork Music
Festival (July 18-20) for a dose of music at
Union Park from rap pioneers Public Enemy, Wu-Tang’s Ghostface and
Raekwon, avant-garde rockers Animal Collective, and Spiritualized. Other
festivals of note: the Chicago Blues Festival (June 5-8) and Chicago Jazz
Festival (Aug. 28-31). Contact Marissa Monson at mmonson@illinoistimes.com.